Ergo- Baby, Shoe Shopping, Fever and The Rules

I wasn't going to change his clothes while he's at the Baby Home but I changed my mind after the stripey tights, white short, neon green anime long sleeved tee fashion statement that the caregivers dressed him in yesterday.  I mean he can pull that look off too but he looked especially adorable in his oshgosh plaid overalls and denim bucket hat that I brought him to wear today.

We got to know the Ergo-Baby carrier this morning.  It took a few adjustments but we soon figured it out and he was happy being attached to me and I was happy to be able to be heart to heart with him and hands free to pick up the toys he joyfully loves to throw for me to retreive.  They told me he had a fever last night so no walking today and shade only.  So that's what we did, cuddled and walked around in the shade of the trees inspecting the leaves and playing with his favourite block toy from Grandma.

When I returned for my afternoon visit his feveer had elevated again and the Dr. sent me to the pharmacy for meds.  They gave him an injection to bring down his fever and initially said that I couldn;t see him.  I put up a fuss so they let me sit with him in a little room for an hour.  It was hard to keep him entertained in the confines of a chair in a tiny room but we managed and I sang to him and played patty cake and with no toys he explored my face instead.  He loves to put his fingers up my nose, pull my hair and play with my necklace.  For a sick boy he has an impressive grip.  His eyes are a little red underneath and droppy but his spirit is still fully in tact.  It was hard to leave but I know he's fine and needs his rest.

I was sad when I returned to the hotel and stayed in my room awhile but after a few hours decided that sulking wasn't making anything better so I headed out to explore.

I found a shore store that was quite entertaining.  I watched the ladies trying on their countless high heels in an astonishing array of styles.  I tried on a few pairs for fun but returned to the safety of my sandels.  Tomorrow I will go shoe shopping for Roman.  I hear there is a store that has excellent quality baby shoes made in Russia.

After that I went looking for dinner.  I found a restaurant that I heard had an english menu called The Steakhouse.  I found it and had a laugh when I opened the menu and the first pages was written "The Rules"  The translation was very very entertaining.  It includes that "It is impossible to be in the cafe in strong alcoholic or drug intoxication" and "The administration of the cafe have a possibility not to serve those visitors that behave in an impolite way towards the waiters or other visitors".  Duly noted

The last page says " Have a nice rest.  We can serve a table and prepare everything you like in any place you want"  Well that's quite a service promise and if that's not enough "Our cafe works from 8am to 11pm but if you want to continue our work each hour will cost you 1,000 rubles"  That seems very reasonable.

I ordered chicken and potatoes and a glass of white wine and tried not to think about the fact that my son is sleeping off a fever in an orphange 10 minutes away.  I did not fully accomplish this but I did eat my dinner and do some journalling.

A bit of what I wrote "Baby boy I am thinking of you every minute.  I know that you are a strong, healthy boy and trust that you are fine but it hurts my heart to not be with you.  I am making the best of it and calling on my sense of humour and trust in the Universe to get my through the tough moments.  Good night sweet little Roman, mama loves you"

Exhausted and Elated

Exhausted from the travel, the journey took just over 24 hours from arriving at the Airport in Toronto to arriving at the Hotel Volgograd.  Twelve hours over two flights and an eight hour layover in Moscow.  Long journey but smooth travel.  The flights were fine, the layover spent at the Business Lounge with wifi and when I arrived T. was awaiting me at the airport ready to check me into the hotel so no complaints. 

Elated from our reunion this morning.  When they brought him out to me and I could see he had all his fingers and toes, was smiling a four toothed mishchievious ear to ear smile and reached for me, I let out that bit of breath that I have holding since we had parted.

The same caregiver with the same frosty pink lipstick and warm eyes handed him to me and smiled.  She bragged about how big and strong he has gotten and how he can stand on his own and starting to walk with some help.  I felt such relief and a heart full with graditute and appreciation for my little bundle of joy to be thriving.  We looked at each other and just like before he touched my face then went straight for my bushka necklace.  We played outside for our time together and he is clearly approaching toddlerhood.  Busy!  So curious and very very mobile.  It was soon clear that sitting on my lap in his sleepers on a bench was not going to be enough entertainment so T. asked the caregivers for shoes for him.  Those shoes were made for walking!  Baby that little bird wanted to go, go, go.  Drunken sailer would best describe his gait.  He took my hand and takes giant, wobbly steps but quickly and in different directions.  Sort of looked like when a newborn ponny is taking his first steps, not so graceful but pure magic.

On the afternoon visit we went inside so we could practice more walking without concrete underfoot.  I put on some music and Baby Bird really digs Michael Franti.  I was tearing up with laughter when he started shaking his little booty looking like the drunken soldier hit the dance floor.  Priceless, adorned in his stripey tights and white shorts, all toothy smile and wiggly bum. 

Then just when I wondered how does it get better then this moment he took his first few solo steps.  I have a witness and she counted.  Five or six wobbly but unassisted steps toward me.  I think the whole orphanage heard me clapping and cheering.  I like to think he waited to walk until he could walk to me.  One thing is for sure, my life from this point on is centered on chasing that little boy and I couldn't be happier about it!

Five days till court and I can share all the adorable pics of him but for now a few teasers and some of the Baby Home all aglow with sunshine.

Paka
xo

still loves that luggage tag

double fisted and ready to party

A for effort but still a wee wobly

excellent toy retreival abilities

sleepers drying in the sun

Faith Hope Love necklaces

Caregiver Gifts

This is what I finally settled on for Baby Bird's Caregivers at the Orphanage.  I wanted something personal, special, heartfelt with a little flair.  I am so happy with how they turned out.  It is a necklace and on the pennant it says "Faith, Hope, Love" and the second pennant is engraved with Baby Bird's name.  Now as I type this I realize that I have just revealed his name but I think that time has come. :)

Shopping and Packing

Sherway Shopping is dangerous stuff for soon to be Mama

The final countdown is on.  Tomorrow I leave for Russia which may be today when you read this.  I have powered through the to do lists thanks to my helpers and just have a few items remaining.  I have sent my Dad on a perfect bib quest that led to a call involving a fairly in depth debate over bib print.  Pirate (because he is a treasure) or puzzle pieces (the process is a puzzle) because they are out of the bees and there are no birds.  These are conversations I would never had envisioned.  I have also researched bottle nipples which I'm sure Dad would have been happy to have been delegated so he can run around saying "nipple" legitimately.

Mom has been to the bank for me since I work the same hours as the bank to pick up fairly large sums of US cash.  She'd call me every morning and inquire as to the US exchange rate and wait for my "go" to get it.  Buy high mom, buy high!

Cat arrived home once day after work with Camilla extract and a Glow Worm. Her co-worker told her that the combo of this homeopathic cammomile extract and the glow worm were the vital duo for getting baby bird to sleep on the plane. Fingers crossed for us and the passengers that this remedy leads to some peaceful slumber on board.

The electronic section of the packing is perhaps the most challenging.  Since this trip is solo, I don't have my sister built in entertainment system which is irreplaceable but I have to try to find some distraction so I am turning techy for new ways to occupy the wait times.  Here's my list....

•  netbook with external dvd drive and dvd's, 
• an iphone with apps to translate, calculate, communicate and the whole first season of "Parenthood", 
• camera (point and shoot) I will miss my SLR but it's just too bulky and ever ounce counts
• KoBo (never used one but Holly is lending me hers for the trip) It's loaded with an even amount of chick lit and instructional toddler non-fiction
• Flip Camera (the same one I took for trip one and LOVE) I have two hours of priceless video and it's ready to take another two hours.  Most days we would upload the videos and Grandma and Grandpa would get to wake up to more of their grand baby.  

The luggage situation is this.  I have half the suitcase and Baby Bird has half.  The packing challenge is that I am only allowed one bag on the way there plus the stroller.  So I am attempting to use my new awesome (thank you BFF Joanna) diaper bag as a "purse" with a smaller purse/wallet hidden inside plus a little rollie bag as my "carry on" then "Big Red" (my Russian suitcase) for everything else.  I will also shrink wrap the stroller (thank you Angel friend Holly) and check that as an additional item for the trip there since I will not have a baby in it.  I wonder if I put a doll in it I could get away with taking it to the gate?  I could then get very irritated when they said that I could not have a stroller for my beloved doll...... hmmm... not bad except that I may end up air marshalled and off to Russian jail instead of off to Russian Court so ex-s-nay that idea.

I have one last minute paper to pick up at the agency that goes with me to Russia and a couple more items on the list then it's time to do the final pack.  Today is my last day at work before my leave so it's lots of wrap up paperwork and hugs from my co-workers.   Tonight is dinner with the family and closest girlfriends then tomorrow I am leaving on a jet plane to board for the final leg of the adoption journey.  Do I feel ready? I still wake up in the middle of the night with random things to add to the list such as baby toothbrush and non scented travel laundry soap but I know that I have everything that I truly need for the journey.  Anything I missed I will find in my travels and anything else I wasn't meant to have for the trip.  My next post will be from the airport

xo

Bypassing Denmark

My travel agency called on Thursday to say there was trouble with my planned flight to Copenhagen.  Scandinavian Airlines and Air Canada don't work together so my ticket can't be issued.  The only other alternative on that date was to fly through Germany and it has a 4 and a half hour layover.  Snubbed by Denmark, and Germany would leave me waiting for many hours.  I wasn't happy with either option.

I remembered that the illusive direct flight from Toronto-Moscow leaves on Saturday's and Wednesday's.  What if I left a few days earlier and left Saturday on the direct?  Was that a possibility?  Indeed it was.  Sometimes you just have to ask and explore all the alternatives and then the right path appears and everything aligns   My travel agent was able to get me a seat on the direct and able to book me on the in country flight without the Moscow layover.  Those of you who have done this journey know what a relief that is.  I get to see Baby Bird two days earlier and will bring him back on a direct flight after a stop in Moscow.

When that flight will be is still up in the air.
The latest would be Sept 21st.  The earliest would be Sept 10th.  What I am predicting it will be is Sept 17th.
It depends on if the judge waives any of the 10 day wait period and if I can get his passport in Moscow in one day and not have to wait out the weekend in Moscow then wait for the next direct flight several days later.

What I do know is that I am returning to Russia and will be reunited with Baby Bird in a week today.  That is all that really matters.  I have to do lists for my to do lists and it's a mad scramble to finish his room, get his baby gear, pack, plan, paperwork and all the other zillion details to get ready to leave. It will all happen.

Flight change life lesson- once Denmark was removed as an option the possibilities opened up and the journey that was meant to be unfolded. What seemed like an obstacle turned out to be the marker to try a different route and a much better itinerary was revealed.

Goodbye Denmark and Hello Russia.

the Russians called with my court date

Now boarding

The confirmation of my court date call came this afternoon. It is official!
My court date is September 2nd... I will be leaving for Russia in 13 days.
My boss has been notified, my parental leave requested and my flights are booked.

Nine and a half weeks between coming home from trip one and leaving for trip two. It's the fastest time between trips that I have ever heard of. I am so incredibly blessed to be going back in less then the predicted 12weeks. I have said many times that my gut told me it would be 10 weeks and you know what they say about that instinct, it's usually right and this time my tummy talk was right on.

I depart Toronto on Sept 29th, arrive in region on August 31st and be reunited with Baby Bird on September 1st. Court is September 2nd and unless the ten day wait period is waived, which is highly unusual, my gotcha day is Sept13th and Baby Bird and I will leave for Moscow Sept 15th then home to Canada Sept 20th

The packing lists have begun, his room is being prepared and our family is all a flutter with excitement. We are also working on making the final arrangements for the diaper donation and delivery to the orphanage to happen a few days after I arrive.

Mama is coming for you Baby Bird, just 14 more sleeps until we meet again.

Birthday Wishes do Come True

I got a call this afternoon from the head of my adoption agency.  She usually calls with the big stuff..... life changing and at the very least going to involve paper chasing, overnight couriering and a strong beverage.  When I saw her name on my call display I thought it was one of two things... it could be a birthday miracle and she's calling with my court date a week before we had expected to hear about it or the judge wants a new or revised document.  But it's my birthday and everyone know that the Universe tries to roll out the red carpet on your birthday.  I got to have an extra shot of vanilla in my coffee this morning, had the fattest, softest delicious muffin for breakfast, a zillion b-day messages, all by 9am so anything is possible on your birthday.

Yes it is and the call was one worthy of a full on happy dance.  She called to say that my court date was "very likely to be on _____ so I need to plan to be back in Russia on ______ so call the travel agency to reserve your tickets but don't pay for them until.... Tuesday (August 16th) when the judge will make the final confirmation.

Stay tuned on Tuesday when I can fill in the blanks... but I can say the date I was told is earlier then I dared to hope. It is a few days prior to what I had as best case scenario  If it's a go then it'll really be a go go go and gone

Sweaty and Grateful

This is Cat and I's clip from that cool video booth station that was set up by Soapbox Photo and Video booth  at the Fundraising Event to video messages for Baby Bird.  Peter says there are almost 20 messages stored so we can't wait to watch them.  I better stock up on kleenex first.  Imagine some day Baby Bird will be able to see and hear in HDTV love notes and birthday wishes from his family and friends gathered to celebrate his special day and raise funds for his baby home.

Awesome!

С Днем Рождения

Birthday Party at the Baby Home

С Днем Рождения
Look what came in my inbox this afternoon.  I have been obsessively checking my e-mail since Saturday and I don't have a smartphone so that means literally revving up our old school desktop computer to check at home over the weekend.  I may have worn out the refresh button.  I have been sending desperate emails to my translator/angel in Russia (I'll call her T.) who had promised to go to the orphanage on Roman's birthday then send me a picture.  We had left him a package of toys and some funds for a cake and party with the Caregivers on our last day with him and were assured that they would celebrate his big day, but since that day the messages to Russia have gone unanswered.  We are 8 hours ahead of Russia so I wasn't to the point of desperation until Sunday when his birthday in Russian time had come and went without a word from the other side of the world.

Then on Sunday evening an email came in but it was news that our contacts had gone away for the weekend so they could not visit the orphanage but maybe soon they would go and send a picture.  I was crushed. Would T. go?  When?  Is he ok?  Did they have a party? Did everyone forget his birthday?  Would she keep her promise?

She did.  She could not be there in person on his birthday so she asked a caregiver friend to take photos of the party for us.  Then she went herself to the orphanage today to give him a kiss for me and take a few more pictures.  I can't share his little Baby Face but I can tell you that he's his charming self. He looks longer, little less babyish and growing fast.  Smiling and giggling and now that grin includes four teeth!

If you look closely at the picture you will see that his cake is decorated with...... you got it........birds!!!

Windows to the soul

At the end of the event Cat and I locked eyes for the first time in many hours and no words were needed. Cat's face mirrored what I felt. It's the second time in this journey I have been left speechless.  The first was the moment I met Baby Bird.  I picked him up into my arms and we locked eyes.  It was done, windows to the souls matched in a silent recognition of mother and child.

The scene was very different this time.  Across the world from the orphanage where my son resides, in our new neighbourhood spot, fittingly as hot as the orphanage as neither has air conditioning.  Cat and I covered in sweat... almost panting... completely emptied with exhaustion and filled with gratitude.

When we found words they weren't fully formed, hands placed over our hearts we could only manage to babble.  "That was intense... I know... Whoa... Wow... I can't even.... So much... Can you believe... I'm."
We let out the first exhale I remember in many hours.  Like getting off a roller coaster, legs still a bit wobbly from the ride.

We looked around and realized that we hadn't made it over to the video booth yet to record our message to Baby Bird so we sat down on the little stools, took a breath and pressed "record". Cat being a PR professional found the words and spoke to the camera- still glowing - Cat delivered a sweet, animated, loving message to him.  I sat there beside her trying to add something but I think I only got a few babbling words out.

Cat got up and I decided to try again.  I pulled the stool up closer to the lens and pressed "record"  The tears that were kept at bay with all the busyness of the day started to flow.  Some day, years from now when he watches that message I hope he will be able to see that the tears came from my heart which was full of love and broken by his absence... and that the babbling, rambling mess of a women pouring her heart out to the lens was already his devoted mama and feeling what mama's feel when they are separated from their baby.

Happy Birthday Baby Bird
 xoxoxoxxoxoxo

To Russia with steamy, delicious, joyous, magic LOVE!

It was so steamy and still the place was vibrating with joyous energy.  Everywhere I looked I saw glowing... it was almost 40 degrees so that helped with the outer glow but the inner glow radiating all over the room was pure heart.


Once again, the Universe worked some magic and packed the house.  The Universe did have a kick ass posse help bring this into reality, specifically.......................


A BIG THANK YOU to those that were there in spirit and supported from afar.  To the thirty something feathered friends  who attended our event, sweated it out and emptied their pockets! It was a huge success and we'll let you all know the final details and how much we raised etc as soon as we finish recovering...we're overwhelmed with gratitude and love and a full cash box to count.


Special thanks go out to Derek Houghton for the use of his 'hot' space, "The Cooking Channel" for trying to keep us cool with their jazz, Grace at Taste Portuguese Cuisine for the 'tasty tapas' Peter Ogborn for supplying the soapbox VIDEO booth (we can't wait to see the final DVD), Mopo Art for capturing the beauty and all the wonderful artists who donated their pieces to our auction.


Our friends and family were galaxies beyond supportive; Andrea S for her bar-tending skills and yummy tasting Sangria and Caesars, , Holly Simmons and Jill for tirelessly washing dishes, doing the 50/50 draw and so much more...mamamia Sandy Fawcett for being our rock and tending to the door, Daddy-Oh Harry Fawcett for doing beer-runs and keeping the ladies entertained, Kirstie Smallman for being our flower fairy and the Nia goddesses Martha, Barbara and Anna who teach us to dance through life.  Joanna Wilson for helping us unpack and unwind and so many others....people came from far and wide including Heather Dix arriving from Orillia with a hand-made bird house and Mere Baldwin for making it back from Muskoka just in time to join the party and play us a little tune....We're overwhelmed with gratitude and love!


Mama Bird and Auntie Cat
xoxoxoxo